I'm like no one else and like everyone else. I work. I mother. I joke around. I create stuff. I share stuff. I make people laugh, hopefully. I'm my mother's daughter and my father's mini-me. I'm still trying to figure it all out...life and blogging. Can I really do this?

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Someone recently said to me that anyone who claims that the two's were so terrible must have sold their child before their third birthday. And that person is SO right. Parenting a 3 year old is, in short, exhausting. Physical. Mental. You name it. And if you are a parent...you know it!

So, I'm trying to undo some of the damage I have done by giving in to my little terrorist three-year old angel. I'm smart enough to know that if you say "NO" 10 times and then give in on the 11th, you are a moron. But the reality is, I am a tired, weary moron who just wants some peace, quiet and cooperation. Ok, so maybe I am not a moron, but it's no secret that I have been inconsistent and am paying the price. My baby daddy hasn't been much better.

Fortunately, I am finding that being consistent is actually quite empowering. I find myself thinking, "Hey! Good work, you!" as my little BMW (those are his initials...figured it might be as close as I ever get to a real BMW!) falls to the floor like a sack o'taters and spins around screaming as if he were Damian himself! But, to my delight, the more firm and consistent I am, the shorter those ridiculous scenes last.

Ya know he does have so many sweet moments. Like now for instance...I can hear him snoring on the monitor. As sweet as it gets. ;)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Apparently, my child has taken the term "sharing" to new levels, as he has so graciously shared his nasty germs with me. I could really take a pass on this sore throat, runny nose and throbbing headache...but hey, just another day in paradise.

So, a few boogers and a sore throat were no deterrent for me today. I spent the better part of the morning calling former graduates from my school who are now of voting age. Like many other school districts, we are in a serious financial pickle and the only cure is more cowbell...I mean a referendum. Yep, that's right. I was calling former students and their parents to ask them to skip on over to the polls and vote YES to increasing their property taxes. A fun task, I tell ya! Fortunately, most of the calls we made resulted in more support. (I was with about 8 other teachers from my district. It's spring break, but I had to tell the little one that I was headed to work so he wouldn't go ape nuts when I left...) Anyway, in case anyone gives a rat's ass...here's why my district has to beg the taxpayers for money. See, there is this huge corporation called Allstate. Their headquarters are in my district. One might think that is a good thing because their property taxes would be huge and we would benefit from that. And that is exactly what has been happening for decades. Until recently. Allstate started appealing their property taxes some years back. They won. We pay. ($2.2 million!) Then they do it again. Another appeal. Another victory. That'll be $3.3 million, please. No lube. Just bend over. It's worth mentioning a few things so you really understand.

My school district has not tried to pass a permanent referendum for these purposes in over 35 years.

My district has one of the lowest tax rates in the state and definitely the lowest in our township.

With the referendum, we would still have the lowest rate in the township

I realize that none of you reading this care much about my district or have any ability to do anything about the situation. But it's a frustrating one. And there is opposition. Loud opposition. Spreading misinformation. Just like the media does regarding schools, teachers, pensions, benefits, and more. But I digress. I was just trying to fill in my ever-growing audience (of 5) on what I did today. After all, if I want you to hang on my every word...I must provide said words. This was the best I could do for today. Not impressive? Call your congressmen. ;)

Monday, March 28, 2011

I made a banana bread today. It was a first for me. I'm pretty happy with how it came out. Next up, trying to make it a slight bit healthier. See, I'm no domestic goddess. I can make the most basic of things, but often, if I try to get "fancy" by using a cookbook or a recipe, I find I do not have 2 or 3 of the key ingredients and from there it's just a big failed attempt. But, today felt different. I searched online (thanks allrecipes.com) and found a basic recipe that I could fulfill right here in my lame ass kitchen. At first glance, my husband thought it was a meatloaf. When he looked (and smelled) a little closer, he realized I had finally made use of the multitude of overripe bananas I have been storing in my freezer.

At this point, I am researching this whole blogging business. So, for now, I figure that most of my (3) readers will just be my friends. But, maybe, just maybe, some day...I can go BLOG CRAZY. In the meanwhile, welcome aboard.

So, I have pretty much no idea what I am doing, but I think the best way to learn is trial by fire. Even after taking numerous teaching methods classes in grad school, I found the only way to really learn how to teach was to be in a classroom and teach. So, perhaps the only way to learn how to blog is to get a'bloggin!

I'm not quite sure what this will all bring to my (future) readers, but I am hopeful that I might share a funny parenting story. Or an even funnier classroom story. I'd like to make this a pit-stop for other (crazy) Spanish teachers like me. I have lots to share. We'll see if anyone agrees.